​The Education Bureau (EDB) announced today (May 29) that six new estate kindergarten premises would be open for application by eligible applicant bodies under the First Kindergarten Premises Allocation Exercise 2023. Details of the six kindergarten premises are set out in the Annex.
"The six new estate kindergarten premises, each providing six to 12 classrooms, are located in Kwun Tong District, Tuen Mun District, Sai Kung District and Islands District, and will be available between 2024 and 2025. The EDB is entrusted by the Hong Kong Housing Authority to nominate operators for the kindergarten premises. The Exercise will be carried out on a competitive basis," a spokesman for the EDB said.
Since implementation of the Kindergarten Education Scheme (the Scheme) in the 2017/18 school year, apart from continuing to help kindergartens improve the environment of their premises, the EDB endeavours to provide more kindergarten premises owned by the Government for eligible applicant bodies to compete fairly for, with an aim of reprovisioning or operating kindergartens, which not only enables reduction in rental expenses but also allows them to enjoy quality school premises. The EDB has been implementing the measures as announced in the 2022 Policy Address that 10 kindergarten premises will be provided by the end of 2023, including four premises allocated earlier and six to be allocated in this Exercise, which have increased the total number of school premises allocated to 31 since the 2017/18 school year. In addition, the EDB has adopted a streamlined mechanism starting from 2021 for assessing applications for nomination of suitable operators for kindergarten premises to reduce applicant bodies' administrative work.
Non-profit-making kindergartens, especially those bearing high rental expenses, having dilapidated school environments and facilities, and facing a surplus of kindergarten places in the district, are encouraged to apply for the above-mentioned kindergarten premises. The EDB will accord priority to kindergartens under the Scheme applying for relocation. Applications for operating new kindergartens will only be considered if no suitable applicants are found for relocation. Quality of education is the prime consideration. The EDB will take into account the operation plan, track record of school operation and relocation needs (if applicable) of the applicant bodies. The applicant body should be exempted from tax under Section 88 of the Inland Revenue Ordinance.
The application form, information on the operation plan, points to note and other reference materials for the Kindergarten Premises Allocation Exercise can be downloaded from the EDB's homepage at www.edb.gov.hk/en/edu-system/preprimary-kindergarten/allocation-of-kg/latest-news.html. The EDB will provide a template for preparation of the operation plan and set out the selection criteria in the "Points to Note" for applicant bodies' reference. Applicant bodies should read the basic requirements and relevant instructions as stipulated in the "Points to Note" carefully before submitting applications.
The duly completed application form, information on the operation plan, list of operating schools run by the applicant body (if any) and supporting documents should reach the Kindergarten Education Division of the EDB (Room 1432, 14/F, Wu Chung House, 213 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai, Hong Kong) by 5pm on July 24. Late applications or those not duly completed will not be processed. For enquiries, please contact the EDB at 2892 5986.
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